Archbishop flags ecological crisis in Asia, calls for urgent action

Panaji: The federation of Asian bishops conferences, of which the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, is president, has issued a pastoral letter on Saturday addressing the growing ecological crisis in Asia and calling for urgent action to “safeguard the earth for future generations”.
“Across Asia, we see creation groaning under the weight of human indifference, abuse, and exploitation. The consequences are already visible and scientifically attested,” the letter states. It goes on to speak of deforestation, biodiversity loss, rising sea levels and coastal displacement, water security, air pollution and health impacts, stronger and more frequent extreme weather events, and agricultural crises and food security.
“The melting of glaciers in the Himalayas and drying rivers in South and Central Asia are endangering the water supply for millions. These changes exacerbate conflicts over water resources, particularly in river basins shared by multiple nations,” the letter states. It also speaks of air pollution and its impact on health. “Cities across Asia, such as Beijing and Shanghai, Dhaka, Delhi, Karachi, Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok are suffocating under hazardous levels of air pollution. This air pollution significantly contributes to respiratory diseases, especially among children and the elderly, and reduces overall quality of life,” the letter states.
It also speaks of stronger and more frequent extreme weather events, with the warming of the Pacific Ocean precipitating frequent and ever-intensified typhoons that have disastrous effects on southeast Asian countries, especially the Philippines. “These effects are felt all the way through South Asia (eg India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and East Asia (eg China, Taiwan, Japan), leading to devastation, displacement, and economic hardship. These powerful storms are a reminder that our inaction on climate change will only deepen the suffering of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” the letter further states.
It also speaks of deforestation in the rainforests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, causing displacement of indigenous communities and threatening biodiversity. “These forests, vital for the survival of the planet, are under immense pressure from illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and mining,” the letter states.
“These ecological tragedies affect Asia’s poorest and most vulnerable communities—coastal families whose homes are washed away, farmers who can no longer grow crops, and children who suffer from polluted air and water,” the letter states, reminding political leaders, govt policymakers, and decision-makers, especially lay Catholics among them, that the choices they make today will be judged by the generations to come.
The FABC has called on all local churches in Asia to participate in the upcoming COP 30, which will take place in Belem, Brazil, in 2025, and has called on dioceses to contribute by raising awareness, supporting climate advocacy, and engaging with decision-makers to push for ambitious and equitable climate solutions.
The pastoral letter was released on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and invited all local churches in Asia to educate communities about ecological responsibility, promote simpler and more sustainable lifestyles, and nurture a spirituality of creation that deepens our relationship with God, humanity, and the cosmos.
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Panaji: The federation of Asian bishops conferences, of which the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, is president, has issued a pastoral letter on Saturday addressing the growing ecological crisis in Asia and calling for urgent action to “safeguard the earth for future generations”.
“Across Asia, we see creation groaning under the weight of human indifference, abuse, and exploitation. The consequences are already visible and scientifically attested,” the letter states. It goes on to speak of deforestation, biodiversity loss, rising sea levels and coastal displacement, water security, air pollution and health impacts, stronger and more frequent extreme weather events, and agricultural crises and food security.
“The melting of glaciers in the Himalayas and drying rivers in South and Central Asia are endangering the water supply for millions. These changes exacerbate conflicts over water resources, particularly in river basins shared by multiple nations,” the letter states. It also speaks of air pollution and its impact on health. “Cities across Asia, such as Beijing and Shanghai, Dhaka, Delhi, Karachi, Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok are suffocating under hazardous levels of air pollution. This air pollution significantly contributes to respiratory diseases, especially among children and the elderly, and reduces overall quality of life,” the letter states.
It also speaks of stronger and more frequent extreme weather events, with the warming of the Pacific Ocean precipitating frequent and ever-intensified typhoons that have disastrous effects on southeast Asian countries, especially the Philippines. “These effects are felt all the way through South Asia (eg India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and East Asia (eg China, Taiwan, Japan), leading to devastation, displacement, and economic hardship. These powerful storms are a reminder that our inaction on climate change will only deepen the suffering of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” the letter further states.
It also speaks of deforestation in the rainforests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, causing displacement of indigenous communities and threatening biodiversity. “These forests, vital for the survival of the planet, are under immense pressure from illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and mining,” the letter states.
“These ecological tragedies affect Asia’s poorest and most vulnerable communities—coastal families whose homes are washed away, farmers who can no longer grow crops, and children who suffer from polluted air and water,” the letter states, reminding political leaders, govt policymakers, and decision-makers, especially lay Catholics among them, that the choices they make today will be judged by the generations to come.
The FABC has called on all local churches in Asia to participate in the upcoming COP 30, which will take place in Belem, Brazil, in 2025, and has called on dioceses to contribute by raising awareness, supporting climate advocacy, and engaging with decision-makers to push for ambitious and equitable climate solutions.
The pastoral letter was released on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and invited all local churches in Asia to educate communities about ecological responsibility, promote simpler and more sustainable lifestyles, and nurture a spirituality of creation that deepens our relationship with God, humanity, and the cosmos.